Unsolved Old domain taken over by new client

[RichardNM]

Hi Moz Peeps,

I have a client who has taken over an old domain from a company that existed about 5 years ago. The business has a strong DA in a totally different industry. In any respect, since taking over and managing their SEO it's been close to 3 months, however search visibility continues to remain at zero. Is there anything I should be doing to get the site to be re-indexed again?

Thanks

[coray555]

When an old domain is taken over by a new client, several steps and considerations come into play to ensure a smooth transition and to address any potential issues.

[lilly664]

When an old domain is taken over by a new client, the process typically involves transferring ownership and updating the domain's DNS settings. The new client gains control over the domain, allowing them to host their website, set up email accounts, and manage other domain-related services. It's crucial to ensure that all previous content is cleared, and new, relevant content is uploaded to reflect the new ownership. Additionally, updating SEO settings and informing existing users or clients about the change can help maintain traffic and avoid confusion. For detailed steps, link text

[lilly664]

When an old domain is taken over by a new client, the process typically involves transferring ownership and updating the domain's DNS settings. The new client gains control over the domain, allowing them to host their website, set up email accounts, and manage other domain-related services. It's crucial to ensure that all previous content is cleared, and new, relevant content is uploaded to reflect the new ownership. Additionally, updating SEO settings and informing existing users or clients about the change can help maintain traffic and avoid confusion. link text

[FinacusTech]

To effectively reindex your old domain, ensure that the technical aspects of your website, such as your sitemap, robots.txt, and metadata, are optimized for search engines. Additionally, we focus on generating new, relevant content and acquiring quality backlinks to increase your visibility and signal your relevance to search engine crawlers.

[davidmillerdot]

Reviving the visibility of an inactive old domain demands a focused approach. Key steps involve evaluating the site's structure and content, addressing technical issues, submitting an updated XML sitemap, checking the robots.txt file, conducting a backlink audit, and optimizing meta tags. Establish a robust online presence through social media, consistently engage in content marketing, and utilize Google My Business for local SEO advantages.

As an SEO blogger tackling similar challenges with a site centered around spiritual meaning, I've experienced improved results employing these techniques. However, patience is paramount since SEO enhancements require time. Should challenges persist, considering professional assistance for a thorough audit and a tailored strategy is advisable. Always bear in mind that SEO is an ongoing process where consistency, relevance, and high-quality content play pivotal roles in securing long-term search visibility.

[Domain-Matty]

Rebuilding a website on an old domain involves several critical steps to ensure optimal performance and visibility in search engines.

The process requires meticulous attention to detail, especially when dealing with existing link structures, broken internal links, and pages with high authority links pointing to them.

Analyze Link Structure:

Begin by thoroughly examining the existing link structure of the website. Identify internal links and assess their relevance and functionality.

This step helps in understanding the website's architecture and aids in planning the reconstruction process.

Check for Broken Internal Links:

Identify and rectify any broken internal links on the website. Broken links can harm user experience and negatively impact search engine rankings.

Fixing these issues ensures that both users and search engines can navigate the site seamlessly.

Rebuild Pages with High Authority Links:

Pages with high authority links pointing to them are valuable for search engine rankings. If these pages no longer exist, consider rebuilding them to maintain the acquired link equity. T

he Wayback Machine can be a valuable resource to view the historical versions of the pages and recreate content as closely as possible.

Use 301 Redirects (with caution):

While it's generally recommended to rebuild pages, in some cases, using 301 redirects might be necessary.
This is particularly true when recreating the exact same content becomes challenging.

However, be cautious as using too many redirects can dilute the link equity. It's essential to weigh the benefits against potential drawbacks before opting for this method.

Submit a New Sitemap:

Once the website is rebuilt, generate and submit a new sitemap to search engines. This ensures that search engines can crawl and index the updated content efficiently. A comprehensive sitemap helps search engines understand the structure of the new site.

Mirror the Old Site:

Aim to mirror the old site as much as possible. This includes maintaining the same URL structure, meta tags, and overall content organization.

Consistency between the old and new versions helps search engines understand the transition and minimizes any negative impact on rankings.

Content Matching with Wayback Machine:

The Wayback Machine can be instrumental in content reconstruction. By referencing historical snapshots, you can recreate content that closely matches the original. However, it's crucial to update the information to ensure relevance and accuracy.

The key to a successful transition is a meticulous approach that involves understanding the existing site's structure, addressing broken links, rebuilding high-authority pages, and maintaining consistency in the overall website architecture. This methodical process helps preserve existing SEO value and improves the chances of the revamped website ranking well in search engines.

[RichardNM]

@David4545 Thanks for the help David - we will keep trying!

[David4545]

@RichardNM If the domain has changed ownership and the new content or purpose is significantly different from the previous one, it may take some time for search engines to reevaluate and reindex the website. Here are some steps you can take to improve the chances of getting the site re-indexed:

Update and Optimize Content:

Ensure that the website content is relevant to the new industry or business.
Optimize on-page elements such as title tags, meta descriptions, and headers with keywords related to the new business.
Submit a Sitemap:

Create an XML sitemap for the website that includes all the relevant pages. Submit the sitemap to major search engines like Google through their respective webmaster tools.
Verify Ownership in Search Console:

Verify ownership of the domain in Google Search Console and other search engine webmaster tools. This allows you to monitor the indexing status, identify issues, and receive notifications from search engines.
Check for Penalties:

Make sure the domain hasn’t been penalized by search engines. Check for manual actions in Google Search Console.
Build Quality Backlinks:

Acquire high-quality backlinks from reputable websites in the new industry. This can help signal to search engines that the website is trustworthy and relevant.
Social Media Presence:

Promote the website on social media platforms. This can contribute to increased visibility and may help search engines discover and index the site.
Fetch as Google:

Use the "Fetch as Google" tool in Google Search Console to submit specific URLs for indexing.
Check for Technical Issues:

Ensure there are no technical issues hindering the indexing process. Check for crawl errors, broken links, and proper redirections.
Monitor Indexing Status:

Regularly check the indexing status in Google Search Console to see if there are any issues or improvements over time.
Patience:

Indexing can take time, especially for a domain that has changed ownership and content. Be patient and continue to focus on creating high-quality, relevant content.
Remember that SEO is an ongoing process, and improvements in search visibility may take time. Consistently monitoring and optimizing your website will contribute to better long-term results.

[James232]

When you take over an old domain, especially one that has been inactive for some time, re-establishing search visibility can indeed take some effort. Here are some steps you can take to help get the site re-indexed and improve its search visibility:

Review Site Structure and Content: Ensure that the site has a clear and organized structure. Check for any technical issues like broken links, missing pages, or duplicate content. Update and improve the existing content to make it relevant and valuable to users in the new industry.

Submit a Sitemap: Create and submit an updated XML sitemap to search engines (Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools, etc.) to ensure they can crawl and index your pages effectively.

Check Robots.txt: Verify that the robots.txt file isn’t blocking search engine crawlers from accessing important pages on the site.

Backlink Audit and Cleanup: Investigate the existing backlink profile. Disavow or remove any irrelevant or harmful backlinks pointing to the site. Try to acquire new backlinks from authoritative and relevant sites in the current industry.

Monitor and Optimize Meta Tags: Ensure that each page has unique and relevant meta titles, descriptions, and headers that accurately represent the content.

Social Media and Online Presence: Leverage social media platforms to create a strong online presence. Share content from the site on these platforms to drive traffic and engagement.

Engage in Content Marketing: Create and publish high-quality, relevant content regularly. Blog posts, articles, infographics, videos, etc., can attract visitors and improve the site's visibility.

Utilize Google My Business: If the business has a physical location, ensure it's listed and optimized on Google My Business for local SEO benefits.

Patience and Persistence: SEO improvements often take time to reflect in search rankings. Continuously monitor analytics and SEO tools to track progress and make necessary adjustments.

Consider Professional Help: If SEO continues to be a challenge, consider consulting with an experienced SEO professional or agency for a comprehensive audit and tailored strategy.

Remember, SEO is a continuous process, and improvements might not be immediate. Consistency, relevance, and quality are key factors in achieving and maintaining better search visibility over time.